Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in Africa: A Systematic Review of Challenges and Management Strategies

Abstract

Given the rich marine biodiversity in African waters, IUU fishing continues to be a persistent problem throughout these regions. While existing studies have sought to deepen our understanding of this problem, data are still limited in developing countries. Many studies focus on specific areas, primarily emphasising either economic losses or enforcement challenges, without providing a comprehensive overview of the broader issues faced by African countries. This systematic review examines the challenges and management strategies of IUU fishing in African waters, using Namibia as a case study. Understanding these challenges and the current management strategies is vital for safeguarding the valuable fishery resources of African countries. The review analysed relevant literature sourced from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. Key findings reveal socio-economic drivers, weak enforcement and surveillance, limited data availability, insufficient collaboration among stakeholders and governance gaps. In response, various countries have implemented management strategies, such as strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, enhancing current monitoring and surveillance systems, engaging communities and stakeholders and fostering regional and international cooperation. Namibia's case shows that with strong political will, a robust legal framework and strategic investments in fisheries monitoring and enforcement, it is possible to significantly reduce the prevalence of IUU fishing. Namibia's progress offers a valuable model for other neighbouring Southern African coastal countries, especially those facing challenges related to weak enforcement, fragmented governance and external exploitation. The findings of this review emphasise the need for stronger regional cooperation, improved monitoring and surveillance technologies and active community engagement in sustainable fishing practices. By addressing these challenges through comprehensive management frameworks and international collaboration, African countries can better preserve their marine resources for future generations.